WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue University ranks in the top 10 of colleges with the highest number of international students.

Purdue has the fourth-largest population of international students attending U.S. public institutions, according to the 2017 Open Doors report by the Institute of International Education. Overall — among private and public universities — Purdue has the 8th most international students in the U.S.

Purdue wants to have a diverse student body to enhance everyone, said Michael Brzezinski, Purdue's dean of international programs.

"The students from abroad, in some sense, give our students from the U.S., particularly those from Indiana ... a study abroad experience right here on our campus," Brzezinski said. "It's an opportunity to engage with people who think differently, have different values, different ways in solving problems. It creates a very diverse and learning experience for all."

The 2017 Open Door report shows that Purdue has 11,288 international students. That number includes students who have graduated and "obtained employment eligibility in the U.S. and are still affiliated with the university."

Purdue's international student population, like most schools, comes from China, India and South Korea, he said.